TECHNICAL
TERMS
Travel writing terms you might come across:
Comped is short for 'complimentary'. i.e., given for free or heavily discounted.
Query Letter: This is a letter that you send to an editor describing (briefly) who you are and the story you are pitching to them. Sometimes also called a 'pitch letter'. Writing a query letter is an art in and of itself.
Pay On Acceptance: This is a good phrase. It means the magazine pays you once they accept your piece. The alternative is the dreaded Pay On Publication. It can take years for a piece to appear.
F.O.B or B.O.B: Front Of the Book and Back Of the Book. These are the short pieces you get at the start and end of magazines. This is the best place to try to break into a new market.
Kill Fee: What they will pay you if you sign a contract, write a piece, have it accepted and (for whatever reason) they don't run it. Usually about 25% of the agreed-on fee for the article. The piece is then yours to resell.
Writer's Guidelines: Very useful mini-outlines of a newspaper/magazine and what they are looking for. Before pitching a new market, check their website for writer's guidelines. If they don't have any, you can email and ask for them. Not every publication has them.
• 10 Ways To Piss Off An Editor
• 10 Ways To Annoy A Freelancer
• Random Advice from Professionals
• Self-Syndicating, The Holy Grail
• On The Road E-Practicalities
• All-Purpose Bad Travel Story
